Conservative Group Demands Legal Action Over Balfour Portrait Vandalism

A conservative campaign group is calling for legal action against those responsible for vandalizing a portrait of Lord Arthur James Balfour at Trinity College. The incident occurred in March 2024, when the portrait, created by Philip Alexius de László in 1914, was spray-painted red and slashed during a protest. This event has garnered attention following the conclusion of a police investigation without any arrests.

The group, known as the Great British PAC, is responding to the decision by Cambridgeshire Constabulary to close its investigation without identifying any suspects. Palestine Action, which claimed responsibility for the vandalism, is a group recently proscribed under UK terrorism legislation. Their justification for the act was based on their assertion that the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which supported the establishment of a Jewish state, initiated a cycle of ethnic cleansing in Palestine.

In an open letter addressed to Trinity College’s Master, Dame Sally Davies, the Great British PAC expressed “grave concern” regarding the police investigation’s closure. Jacob Watts, a Cambridge undergraduate and Deputy Universities Director of the organization, emphasized the importance of holding those responsible accountable. He stated, “As a University of Cambridge student myself, I am deeply committed to ensuring that criminal acts damaging our institution’s heritage do not go unpunished.”

The letter, which also highlighted the group’s intention to explore a private prosecution, criticized what they perceived as a failure to prosecute the vandalism. In a post on X, the group articulated their frustration: “When Palestine Action admits guilt and nothing is done, justice is not being served.”

Trinity College has publicly condemned the act of vandalism. A spokesperson stated that the college has cooperated fully with the police and will continue to do so should any new evidence emerge. They confirmed that the portrait of Lord Balfour is currently undergoing restoration.

The Great British PAC, chaired by former Reform UK Deputy Leader Ben Habib, has faced criticism from organizations such as Hope Not Hate, which has labeled them a “far-right pressure group packed with extremists.” In response to these claims, the group asserted that they are “patriots, not partisans,” and argued that such characterizations are part of a campaign to delegitimize differing political viewpoints.

Following the vandalism, Trinity College expressed regret over the damage caused to the Balfour portrait, confirming that they promptly notified the police. The college reiterated its condemnation of the act, emphasizing the need for accountability in preserving its heritage. This incident not only raises questions about the protection of historical artifacts but also highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the legacy of the Balfour Declaration and its implications for current social and political discourse.